How did 'Malcolm in the Middle's Frankie Muniz end up in York County band Kingsfoil?

By ERIN McCRACKEN FlipSide staff

Posted:
04/06/2012 02:07:50 PM EDT

It wasn't a late April Fool's joke.

Actor Frankie Muniz is indeed joining the York County rock band Kingsfoil.

Muniz starred in the Fox comedy "Malcolm in the Middle," which aired from 2000 to 2006. He replaces Kingsfoil drummer Joe Cipollini. The band's lineup includes Jordan Davis, Tristan Martin and Tim Warren.

Davis, the lead vocalist, was the first to arrive at One Marketway West Friday afternoon in York. The band was set to meet for its first photo shoot and practice.

Martin arrived a few minutes later - fresh from mowing his grandmother's lawn. The pair formed Kingsfoil as an acoustic duo around 2002. About four years later they added more members. The quartet filled its schedule with local shows, national festivals, opening spots for bigger acts and airtime on WXPN-FM.

About two months ago, Cipollini, who works in real estate, decided he wanted to pursue that career path. His exit from Kingsfoil was amicable, Davis said, and came at a good time, since the band was recording and not performing many shows.

Other coverage

But Kingsfoil still needed a drummer for upcoming dates in Delaware, Lancaster and at York College, so it decided to hold auditions.

After pursuing a post-"Malcolm" auto racing career, Muniz joined the band You Hang Up, which shared a manager with Kingsfoil. His other band dissolved in August, so Muniz decided to give the Kingsfoil gig a shot with an audition last week.

"Literally, Kingsfoil is my favorite band," Muniz said after he and Warren arrived in York Friday. "This is my focus 150 percent."

He first picked up drumsticks at age 12 and had been mostly self-taught until his first formal lesson a few days before the audition.

Davis, who didn't tune in to TV as a kid, wasn't familiar with Muniz as a screen star, but knew his music.

This summer, Kingsfoil is planning to release a CD of material recorded with Cipollini and hit the road with its new drummer. Muniz, who was born in New Jersey, now calls Phoenix home. But during the coming months, he'll spend time in southcentral Pennsylvania and on tour. He also will be planning a wedding with his longtime girlfriend.

Former "Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz, third from left, joined the band Kingsfoil as their new drummer. The foursome, including from left: Jordan Davis, Tim Warren and Tristan Martin, joke around during a photo shoot in downtown York. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS--JASON PLOTKIN)

m. April 26 in the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center, off Grantley Road in Spring Garden Township. Singer-songwriter DEV and local rock group Kingsfoil will open the show. Tickets cost $31 and are available in the Iosue Student Union bookstore at York College, 441 Country Club Road, Spring Garden Township. For details and tickets, call 717-815-1239.

The next day, April 27, Kingfoil will perform at the 2012 LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival. The show is 8:30 p.m. at Marion Court, 7 Marion Court, Lancaster. The show is free for those with Friday festival badges or weekend passes. Admission is $3 without a badge. The show is for those 21 and older. For details, visit launchmusicconference.com.

More

Philip Given and Allison Bitzer, left, of Susquehanna Photographic take photos of the band Kingsfoil in Cherry Lane on April 6. The band just added former 'Malcolm in the Middle' star Frankie Muniz, second from right, as its new drummer. The foursome, including, from left: Jordan Davis, Tim Warren and Tristan Martin, right, joke around during the shoot in downtown York. (FLIPSIDE -- JASON PLOTKIN)